Stage 4-24. The Villainous Young Master Who Got Close To The Saint Again
Having pierced the Demon Dragon’s skull, I shook the green blood from my arm.
Dragon Vanisher - Kai... It performed even better than I’d imagined.
At this point, calling it a prosthetic would be underselling it—it’s more like an arm-mounted weapon.
This was its first real test, but it felt perfectly natural.
All that’s left is for Yueli to confirm there’s nothing wrong with Dragon Vanisher - Kai—
"Ouga!"
"—Karen!"
Karen, whom I’d ordered to stay hidden during the fight, came running and threw herself at me.
I spun once to soften the impact, then hugged her back tightly.
"Thank goodness...! Thank goodness...!"
Karen gripped my hand, her other hand covering my eyes.
Meaning, she’d seen—and heard—the moment my right arm was severed.
That’s why she’d prayed so hard for my safety.
Behind her, Yueli stood with a sharp grin, thrusting out her fist just like when she’d sent me off.
Her face was brimming with satisfaction.
"You did it, kid!"
"Yeah. I proved this thing’s worth."
"Damn right!"
I bumped fists with Dragon Vanisher - Kai, and Yueli let out a triumphant roar at the sky, as if expelling all the pent-up emotions from her core.
"See that, ya shitty old maaaaaan?! This is what I can dooooo!! ...Hah... cough cough... Ahhh, that felt goooood..."
After vomiting out everything she’d held back, she gasped for air before collapsing on the spot.
Then, she thrust both arms into the air again.
Watching her, Karen—now fully dried-eyed—laughed along with me.
I was right to believe in her passion for her dreams.
Yueli is the kind of person who strives for her goals and moves forward.
This skill of hers... It’d be a shame to let this be the end after just one prosthetic.
I’d been thinking about it for a while. If she ever made a prosthetic that satisfied her... No, scratch that.
The way she completed the prototype at breakneck speed, cutting out everything but the request itself...
Narrow but deep. That’s all she needs.
Right now, she’s exactly the kind of person I need.
Yueli must’ve realized it—the joy of seeing her magic tool in action. That overwhelming sense of fulfillment.
Now, she’s surely at a crossroads. Having known only the small world of the Lurdan Workshop, she’s tasted something new. She’s emptied her heart, left with nothing but clarity.
Well, then I’ll just have to fill that void for her.
"Keh keh keh... I’ve decided, Yueli."
I grabbed her outstretched hand—the hand of someone who’d achieved her goal yet seemed to crave the next path.
"I’m taking you to Vellet territory."
"...!?"
Yueli’s shoulders twitched.
"...What’re you sayin’, kid? You know, don’tcha? I wanna work at Dad’s workshop. I made a magic tool that can slay a Demon Dragon. This time, I’ll definitely—"
"Yeah, I know. But I’ve decided I want you. Me—the eldest son of House Vellet, the Saint."
"That don’t matter. This is the independent mechanical city of Encarton. Your status means squat here."
"Unfortunately, that won’t fly this time. I’m the hero who saved this city."
"That’s..."
True, Encarton is a city free from noble influence, but refusing a request from the man who saved them from ruin would be terrible PR.
If they pulled that, no one would come to their aid next time—even if another Demon Dragon attacked.
And that’d be bad for Encarton too.
After all, their old Dragonfall Round couldn’t repel the Demon Dragon this time, and Dragon Vanisher - Kai is on my arm. Even if Yueli made another, there’d be few who could wield it.
"So, you’ve got no choice but to come with me."
And why am I pulling this villain move?
To show Yueli I won’t let her slip away.
To ensure she doesn’t regret choosing between the "Lurdan Workshop" and "Ouga Vellet."
If I take her like this, she can say she was forced—no guilt toward the Lurdan Workshop or her father, Dude.
Plus, if word gets out, it might tarnish the Saint’s reputation.
I’ve had my fill of a life serving the public after taking down Florne.
Time to lower my standing with the masses.
"You don’t need to hesitate. Just keep aiming higher and honing your craft."
Then, I added:
"...This isn’t finished yet, is it?"
I tapped my right arm lightly.
"...! ...Yeah. So I’ve got no choice, huh?"
"Exactly. You’ve got no choice but to obey me. So, go ahead and tell Dude everything we just said."
I didn’t want him complaining later, so I made sure to have her explain in advance.
Besides, if I know that man, he’ll allow it.
No one believes in her talent more than he does.
"Be at the airship to Vellet territory tomorrow. Got it?"
Once Father hears about the Demon Dragon, he’ll arrange a ship immediately.
The reason’s simple: His beloved son is here.
"...You’re kinda sweet, kid."
"Keh keh keh... What’s this all of a sudden? I just did what I wanted."
I pulled her up by the hand.
"I’ll be waiting."
With that, I took my leave.